Heat just became more manageable.

Riders hit the lower switchbacks, and we edge to the fronts of our seats, turning up the TV. The pack shuffles as the big boys move to the front. Sweat drips off the riders' noses, helmets tip back, and jerseys unzip, flapping like superheroes' colorful capes behind their backs. Extra bottles are tossed to the side of the road, eliminating all excess weight as the road gets steeper. We feel for these Tour riders because we know that they're in the red, digging into what's left of their reserves. We've all been there, and this is where having the lightest possible clothing can make all of the difference. If there's a jersey out there built solely for these brutal climbs, it's Castelli's Climber's Jersey.

The Climber's Jersey answers Garmin-Barracuda team riders' requests for a super lightweight, highly breathable jersey for the mountain stages of the Giro and the Tour. Castelli listened and came up with its new Strada Light 3D Mesh fabric. Strada Light 3D Mesh is a polyester multi-denier material that has, as the name implies, an airy, three-dimensional structure. This new fabric is not only incredibly lightweight, but it also holds the surface off of the skin, reducing cling and speeding moisture evaporation. This means that the fabric absorbs less sweat, which in turn keeps the jersey close to its weight of 91 grams (Large) throughout your ride. And because the fabric's primary purpose is to evacuate moisture from your skin, Strada Light is much too thin to protect your skin from the sun. For this reason, Castelli strongly recommends that you apply sunscreen underneath the jersey.

Aside from the jersey's Strada mesh front and back panels, Castelli uses its sleek, stretch-fit Velocity Mesh on the shoulders and yoke to provide a smooth, drag-resistant cut. And speaking of aerodynamics, compared to the Aero Race Jersey, the Climber's Jersey saves just three fewer watts at 40 km/h in Castelli's wind tunnel tests -- around nine watts in all.

Castelli rounded out this jersey with a full-length Vislon zipper. The Vislon zipper's small teeth have a smooth, low profile, and the easy-grip zipper pull lets you quickly maximize your temperature regulation. Three standard back pockets stow that energy bar and wind shell. The Lightweight Lycra trim rounds out the jersey's bottom half to keep it from riding up when you drop a gear to push for the summit.

Castelli designed the Climber's Jersey to work in conjunction with its summer Inferno Bib Shorts. This jersey is available in six sizes from Small to XXX-Large and in the colors White/red/black, Black/yellow fluo/white, and Ocean/white/black.

Tech Specs

Material:

[jersey] 100% polyester, [ventilation panels] Strada Light 3D mesh

Fit:

race

Zip:

full-length

Pockets:

3 rear

Recommended Use:

hot weather road cycling

Manufacturer Warranty:

30 days

Size chart

Castelli

Men's Apparel

Small

Medium

Large

X-Large

2X-Large

3X-Large

Chest

35.5 - 37in(90.2 - 94.0cm)

37 - 38.5in(94.0 - 97.8cm)

39 - 41in(99.1 - 104.1cm)

41 - 43in(104.1 - 109.2cm)

43 - 45in(109.2 - 114.3cm)

45 - 47in(114.3 - 119.4cm)

Waist

29.5 - 31.5in(74.9 - 80.0cm)

31 - 33in(78.7 - 83.8cm)

33 - 35.5in(83.8 - 90.2cm)

35.5 - 37.5in(90.2 - 95.3cm)

38.5 - 40.5in(97.8 - 102.9cm)

41 - 43in(104.1 - 109.2cm)

Hips

36.5 - 38.5in(92.7 - 97.8cm)

38 - 40in(96.5 - 101.6cm)

40 - 42in(101.6 - 106.7cm)

42 - 44in(106.7 - 111.8cm)

44 - 46in(111.8 - 116.8cm)

46 - 48in(116.8 - 121.9cm)

Inseam

31.5in(80.0cm)

32in(81.3cm)

32.3in(82.0cm)

32.8in(83.3cm)

33in(83.8cm)

34.8in(88.4cm)

How to Measure:

For best results, take measurements over your underwear.

Chest:

Measure under your arms, around the fullest part of your chest.

Waist:

Measure around your natural waistline, keeping the tape a bit loose.

Hip:

Measure around the fullest part of your body at the top of your legs.

Inseam:

Using pants that fit well, measure the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg.

Here's what others have to say...

View

Great Jersey, bad fit

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Maybe I'm not enough of a jersey snob but I still love this jersey despite the bagginess in the torso area. The materials and feel are incredible and have been money on hot climbs in So Cal. Some have complained that it has a collar but it is such a light material I actually prefer having it as it blocks some sun and absorbs sweat. I'm 6'1 190 muscular build, this jersey is race fit up top, and loose in the mid section. I definitely don't prefer it this way but not a major draw back for me. Still holds in place at the waist when changing positions and quick descents, deep pockets do their job. Love the sleeves, hold real well and are comfortable. Would recommend if you want a good jersey for the heat and don't mind the baggy midsection...or if you yourself are baggy in the midsection this jersey will be great!

Comment on Kyle's review:

No Go

Gender:
Male

Familiarity:
I returned this product before using it

Fit:
Runs small

One of the reviewer mentioned the terrible fit and he was spot on - I am 5.11 and usually M w/ US and M-L w/ EU brands, so I decided for the L. The jersey runs too small for the chest but baggy for the torso. The feel is awful - itchy hard plastic style. I would look over it wasn't it for the 175gr on my scale as opposed to the advertised 91gr - an almost 100% deviation. That's worse than my 1990 climber jerseys. A clear return.

The Med you ordered fit like a Large because it was a Large. According to Castelli support on the Castelli Forum they sized the Climbers Jersey distributed in the USA off by 1 size from normal. Order a small and you will actually be getting a Castelli race cut Medium.

Comment on mlop110135's review:

Sizing in USA is off by 1 size

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I have the Climbers Jersey, Entrata, and AR 4.0. I wear the Med in both the AR 4.0 and the Entrata, the M in Volata alos fit me perfect. However after reading a post on the Castelli forum saying they sized the Climbers Jersey in the USA larger by 1 size and seeing the same sizing issue here, I ordered the Climbers Jersey in small. Sure enough fits just like the other 3 in medium. I am 5-11 and 158 LB for reference. The cut of the Jersey is exactly the same as Garmin-Sharp use so it is a race cut, just size down from your other Castelli Jersey's and you'll be good to go. Overall the thermal performance of this jersey is exceptional. It isn't the most comfy jersey I have as the fabric isn't all that soft but wow it keeps me very cool and dry in the Florida sun. Its like I am riding in 10 degree cooler temps when I am wearing this jersey. Only complaint would be the long collar, not sure why summer jerseys even have collars......

Comment on Shadowspring's review:

Baggy not race fit

Gender:
Male

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

well I have had the jersey most of summer, and as the summer rolled along the middle waist is too large as others have posted, and it does get even bigger as I sweat! sorry but it fit spot on for the first few rides, then seemed to get larger? anyway, i really don't like it anymore sorry to say. Feel bad after the glowing review i had given back in June I think. I have moved on the the Castelli Volata Full-Zip Jersey - Short Sleeve and it is a much better fit, have worn it for about 10 rides over 60 miles and it fits really nice. sorry but I have to change my overall rating to two stars. I do wear it for shorter rides only now. I will still be a Castelli guy, I own at least 6 and this is the only one I have trouble with.

Comment on william d heidenreich's review:

This jersey sucks

Gender:
Male

Familiarity:
I returned this product before using it

I have at least a half-dozen castelli jerseys. I like the castelli tight race fit, but this jersey fits more like pearl izumi, baggy in the midsection. If you are a castelli rider you will hate this jersey. I am disappoint. Do not buy.

Yes, pic worth a ton, cannot believe that Castelli would "down size" the label on this piece when we all are accustomed to just the opposite. Makes me laugh from a marketing standpoint, here's some guy that thinks he is a Castelli large and he has to order a medium???? Never would have thought this, does anyone have a pit to pit measurement for the medium?

Comment on Chad's review:

I'm extremely disappointed in the fit

Gender:
Male

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

The USA version is not race fit! I'm a Castelli guy, but the USA version sucks! I'm a lean 155lbs/5'11" (a climber) and always wear a medium in Castelli race fit jerseys. So I bought the USA version of white/red/black in a medium and it fits baggy around the waist and the mid section. And as I sweat it gets even baggier. I hate it! . . . By the way, I bought the black/white/blue in a medium from Europe and it fits like a dream, I love it.

Castelli told me they didn't have a size difference from Europe to the USA, saying they are all made the same? thanks, now I know the truth. Can you tell me where you got the European version of this jersey?

How see through, are these jerseys? They...

Surprisingly not see-through. At least in the black (which I own). This jersey is made with a circular open mesh material on the interior with a flat textile layered on top. So, the garment is not see through. The jersey in white may be semi-see through if fully wet. If that is an issue, you can wear the jersey with a base layer designed specifically for use in warm weather like Castelli's fantastic "seamless" (or "core mesh") vest base layer.

Have an answer for Kevhogaz?

Sublime

Obviously part of Castelli's "rosso corsa" top-of-the-line. Awesome in every way.

Light, super-ventilated, great looking. Castelli put a lot of thought into this Summer race/training jersey. One of my favorite design details is the zipper. It is different than most Castelli zippers. It is a large tooth zipper that zips up and down very easily. Love the wide, comfortable arm bands too.

Other fit considerations: This jersey is cut short in the front on purpose. This is the best cut for the incline/forward position used on a road bike. And no silicon gripper on the rear hem... This is meant to be a very snug form-fit jersey for use over your best bib shorts.

Comment on John Heineken's review:

Great in Humid Climates

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I ride in the Gulf Coast Region of the U.S. and this jersey is great for the hotter/more humid days, especially on more rigorous rides. The light 3D style material feels comfortably snug against the trunk, without clinging. The zipper is easy to manipulate, and doesn't bind, even when using one hand to unzip. Through and through, a great jersey.